WI LOSE!

Mon, Jul 23, '18

OPENER Tamim Iqbal struck a brilliant century to set up a crushing 48-run win for Bangladesh in the first ODI against West Indies yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium.

The left-hander chalked up his tenth ODI hundred and shared the second-highest partnership in Bangladesh ODI history — 207 – with Shakib Al Hasan to give Bangladesh a competitive total of 279-4; a total they defended easily after the West Indies batting performance lacked fight, resistance, purpose and spine.

West Indies were never up to the task and virtually surrendered. They were eventually restricted to 231-9 with Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer top-scoring with 52 for the unpredictable home side.

It was a complete bowling effort from the tourists with Mashrafe Mortaza picking up 4-37, to be the most successful bowler.

Earlier, Shakib perished three short of a hundred from 121 balls, but the 29-year-old Tamim finished unbeaten on 130 off 160 balls. However, it was a boundary-laden 11-ball burst from Mushfiqur Rahim (30), which eventually gave the innings some impetus, as Bangladesh plundered 43 runs in the last two overs.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza chose to bat but they lost opener Anamul Haque, who was picked ahead of Liton Das as Tamim’s opening partner, in the second over to medium pacer Jason Holder, as the pitch offered early assistance to the Windies pacers.

However, rain then delayed the game by 28 minutes but, once play resumed, the tourists

recovered through the second-wicket stand from their two most experienced batsmen.